AIBU to choose work life balance over career and money?

[puglife15]

I'm considering leaving my 3 day a week professional, often stressful but well paid career to work in a lower pressure, lower paid environment on a consultancy / freelance basis, probably working half the hours I was before in a related field but probably on more interesting work. I'd also lose an excellent benefits package.

This would also mean less childcare required and I'd be able to do school pick ups and drop offs when dc1 starts next September.

We'd be able to eat and pay bills, but holidays, new clothes, new furniture, eating out etc wouldn't really be on the agenda. We currently save around £500 a month (for holidays and house stuff as well as longer term), that would be reduced.

In terms of career progression, if I needed to I think I'd be able to go back into a permanent (probably dull) job reasonably easily but at less money than I'm on now.

AIBU to consider this? How important is it to be able to pick kids up etc, and enjoy my work, vs how important is it to not be stressed about money? I've been doing the same job for nearly 15 years so I've lost perspective.

DH's career is going well but not brilliantly paid. I could currently earn more than him if I was ft but he really likes his work.

Also, if you're examining work life balance then look to free up QUALITY time, not just quantity time. Cutting your hours will NOT be worth it if all you end up doing is cleaning the toilet and folding the laundry instead of playing with your child. If you can work one extra hour and pay for 3 hours of a cleaner or ironer or gardener... then that is worth it in terms of your quality time.

I so often see great, talented women giving it all up when their kids are small just to find that they've been relegated into the role of toilet-cleaner. When that wasn't the purpose for them jacking work in.

Kiwi with respect, you don't know my DH and I have evidence he has asked and formally requested the change in hours, although if I didn't I would trust him anyway because he's not a dickhead and would love more time with the kids. I feel sorry that you think all men are like this.

However you make a really good point about quality time.

After school clubs are massively oversubscribed which is one worry.